Ski Equipment Review for Winter 18/19

Head to toe – ski journalist and equipment specialist Rob Stewart kits us up head to toe with all the equipment you need for a ski holiday in Morzine, Winter 18/19.

The weather is turning colder and the nights are drawing in, it must be time to look at our wardrobe and plan for the ski season. I’ve picked out some of my top items for this winter to use and wear on the slopes.

Ski jacket and pants

Helly Hansen – Garibaldi jacket and pants

This new jacket and pant combi from Helly Hansen is full-on technical gear that can be purchased together or as individual items. By combining different coloured jacket and pants though, it makes up a really smart set up that will keep you warm and dry. The style has a backcountry, freeride feel to it and 2 layer ‘HellyTech Professional’ fabric (HH’s top of the range outer material) is waterproof and breathable to a very high level. It’s also insulated with PrimaLoft, a light, high-performance material that keeps you warm and still breathes well. Features include a powder cuff, built in Recco system, life pocket for your phone and ventilation system for those warmer days.

Jacket RRP: £380 | pant RRP: £220 | www.hellyhansen.com

Mid layer

Outdoor Research – Transcendent Down Jacket

A good down jacket can be a savour on those cold, dark nights in a ski resort – and even as an extra layer under a shell jacket on colder days on the mountain. This one from Outdoor Research is light, warm and comfortable to wear. There’s a snug hood, two large open interior pockets for your beanie or goggles and three exterior zip pockets too. The goose down filling is ideal for dry, cold conditions and it looks pretty stylish too.

The brand new Cobalt Magnetic goggle from Panda has the quickest lens change system on the market, with the swap over possible in under five seconds (it’s possible with a bit of practice!). The mirrored UV400+ polarised and low light lenses come as standard – two lenses, one goggle, meaning strong protection in the high-altitude sun and great visibility in flat light conditions, with a lens that grips magnetically onto the frame. They look great too and everyone loves the Panda logo!

RRP: £119 | www.pandaoptics.co.uk

Base layer

FlŌA – Backcountry Baselayer

FlŌA is a new brand that has only just launched in the autumn of 2018. The technical base layer is designed for off-piste and backcountry skiers, but it can be used by anyone looking for a high-performance first layer. The seamless construction and merino-poly blend wicks moisture from the skin super-fast, meaning a more comfortable ride and better performance. Although I haven’t had the opportunity to try it on slopes yet, I’ve seen the product and it looks great.

RRP: £110.00 tops, £90.00 pants | www.floasports.com

Skis

PFD – Pure Freeride Design, All Mountain Charger

British ski company, PFD, has completely re-designed its models for the 2018-19 winter season. The full bamboo core is now complemented with a carbon fibre and flax fusion lay-up. This advanced layer brings light weight stiffness to the ski from the carbon and complimentary dampening qualities from the flax (a type of linen material) working together to create the perfect flex. The All Mountain Charger model is the most versatile ski in the range at 100mm underfoot – perfect for both on and off-piste conditions.

RRP: £970 | www.pfdskis.com

Gloves

Reusch – Jérémie Heitz Pro-model

Heitz is a professional freeride skier from the Valais area of Switzerland (not far from Morzine as the crow flies) who is also a star of hit ski movie, La Liste. He has put his name to these gloves that are geared towards the technical skier who likes a tight-fitting grip and robust long-lasting quality. They feel really nice and because they’re made with high quality goats skin with a Polartec insulation, you’ll stay warm and dry too. One of the smartest gloves out there for this winter.